A father and son wanted to know how much DNA they shared. They took a secret test together. The results that arrived later disclosed some unsettling secrets about the guy's mother.
One Redditor wanted to use his birthday money on something worthwhile, and that's when he and his dad had the crazy idea of getting their DNA tested. They bought two home-based testing kits from 23andme, a DNA report generator that delivers reports through mail.
A father and son embracing while standing outside, dressed in similar clothing | Source: Pexels
The two were eager to know their results, and a few days later, the mail arrived. The Redditor rummaged through the report to find his matches. He was shocked to see his dad shared only 29.2 percent with him and was declared his half-brother. It didn’t make any sense at first.
The Confusing DNA Truth Is Revealed
The original poster (OP) revealed that he and his dad had identical features and are "So Alike." He was sure that the man was his father, but something felt amiss, particularly after he recalled his cousin's match with him. OP explained:
"My cousin also had taken the test a while back, and she shared 24.6 percent with me, also predicted to be my half-sibling. We’re supposed to share around 12 percent, being 1st cousins."
An upset-looking young man looking away from the camera while wearing winter clothes | Source: Unsplash
The OP couldn't understand the reliability of the results. However, he knew the results from 23andme couldn't deceive him. He was lost in deep thought and tried to connect the missing dots between him, his cousin, and his uncle, David (name changed for obvious reasons.)
OP sensed the only probability was that his uncle — his cousin's father and dad's brother - was his biological parent. The OP couldn't battle the reality anymore. He was enraged and decided to seek answers before adding:
"I rushed out of my room and confronted my mother downstairs. My mom is a businesswoman and is often away on business trips. She had no idea my dad and I had done one of these tests since she was away."
A woman talking to a man while holding a notepad and a pen | Source: Pexels
The Redditor made his statement clear when he boldly asked his mother if she cheated on his dad with his uncle, David. His mother turned pale and muttered: "What kind of question is this? Of course not!" The OP wasn't convinced and told her about the tests. That's when some disturbing secrets came to light.
How Did OP Discover Who His Real Father Is?
After hearing about the test results, the OP's mom fell to the ground. She sobbed and begged him to keep it a secret. He lost his temper and left her to weep alone. The OP informed his cousin and moments later, his uncle arrived. The Redditor further explained:
"Dad (now uncle) then came home and stumbled into my room asking what's wrong with mom. I told him everything too. He didn’t say anything after calming down. He left the room, and I locked the door."
The social media user heard his family argue vigorously. The OP's grandparents and his aunt rushed to the scene and he could hear them fighting outside his room. At one point, his dad and uncle got physical! The OP stayed inside, fearing the consequences as he was guilty of undergoing the DNA test with his birthday money.
Two men arguing indoors | Source: Pexels
However, he felt light on knowing the truth. He was too afraid of what would happen and turned to social media for advice. Most people believed the OP just had to talk things out with his family to find the truth.
What Advise Did Reddit Users Give the OP?
Several people from the online forum advised the OP to talk to his father first. One Reddit user noted how the man the OP thought was his real father had spent more than 19 years raising him and probably doesn't want them to lose any time together, saying:
"He absolutely should talk to his father and explain that nothing will change between them because, for any genuinely decent person, it will mean a hell of a lot."
An upset young man sitting with his hands over her eyes | Source: Unsplash
Most agreed with the user and claimed the OP's mother and uncle were the only people at fault. They comforted him, saying that his real dad was the man who raised him, not the one who shared his genes. The OP thanked his supporters and decided to take some immediate action.
OP's Confrontation with His Father
OP left the room and reached out to his dad. However, a lot had happened meanwhile. His father was attending to his grandmother at the hospital as she had a heart attack after the incident. The OP knew his mom was still at home and left her alone without a word and rushed to see his grandma.
He claimed he never regretted confronting his mom and that she deserved the shock for cheating on his father.
Family gathered together at a hospital | Source: Pexels
Luckily, the gran was in a stable condition. The OP sat his dad down for a gentle conversation. First thing, the two vowed that nothing in their relationship had changed. The dad later told him about his mother's confession.
The OP's mother had claimed that her brother-in-law forced her. But when his dad told her he would lodge a police complaint, she slightly edited her allegations. The dad had his doubts, and that's when his brother came over.
An older man talking to an upset younger one who has his hands over his face | Source: Pexels
His uncle David claimed that whatever happened between them was purely consensual. He told everyone that the OP's mother lied to save herself from shame. Meanwhile, David's wife filed for divorce. Reddit users were sympathetic to the OP's jarring situation.
How Redditors Sided with the OP and Comforted Him
After reading his update, a Reddit user comforted the OP, saying he needn't feel guilty for someone else's mistake. The person noted: "What none of us wants is for you to place and accept the blame for actions you did not initiate. The people responsible need to accept that blame and responsibility."
A stressed out man standing outside with his hands over his head | Source: Unsplash
Several users sympathized with the OP's aunt and cousin. They claimed that the truth affected them as much as it affected the OP and his dad. Some placed themselves in the OP's shoes and said they would cut ties with the uncle and mother as they would likely manipulate him.
The OP and his dad stayed with his grandparents until they decided on a permanent solution. He claimed he never regretted confronting his mom and that she deserved the shock for cheating on his father. However, he said he felt sorry for telling his dad and cousin the truth and putting his family through stress.
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